Agricultural Economics Program
Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Agricultural Economics Program are to train students to understand and apply the concepts and analytical tools of economics and business in a systematic method in order to identify, analyze, and resolve management problems of the farm, agribusiness firms, rural communities, and government agencies, as well as preparing students for further study in Agricultural Economics.

DEGREES OFFERED

• Agricultural Economics - Bachelor of Science
• Agricultural Economics - (Agricultural Business) -  Bachelor of Science

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The admission of students to the undergraduate degree program is based upon the general admission requirements of the University.

DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Undergraduate majors in Agricultural Economics must complete 127 semester hours of University courses. Students must earn an average grade of "C" in Agricultural Economics courses in order to meet the major field requirements. Agricultural Economics majors must take a minimum requirement of 37 semester hours in Agricultural and General Economics.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Students who successfully complete programs in Agricultural Economics are prepared for careers in  agricultural extension, agricultural-related business firms and industries, trade and professional associations, government and private research firms, government services (legislative, administration, or professional), as well as for further study for higher degrees.

REQUIRED COURSES FOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

A grade of "C" must be earn in all of the above requirements or an average of "C" must be earned in all courses.

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Total Credit Hours: 127

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(Agribusiness)

Total Credit Hours: 127

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Undergraduate

AGEC-130. Survey of the Food and Agribusiness Industries     Credit 1(1-0)
This course provides an introductory overview of the characteristics, scope and functions of the U.S. food and fiber production/processing/distributing system such as, showing the relationships of input supply, farm production, and product processing - distribution-marketing complex, and their role in meeting food and fiber needs of people; and identification of possibilities and requirements for training and services. (F).

AGEC-240. Introduction to Computers in Agribusiness   Credit 3(3-0)
This course is designed to familiarize students with the growing role of computers as a management aid in agribusiness. Topics covered include: electronic spread sheets, word processing, data base management, telecomputer communication flow charting, etc. Emphasis will be placed on the application of software to agribusiness and agricultural economics analysis. (F).

AGEC-330. Introduction to Agricultural Economics       Credit 3(3-0)
An application of the fundamental principles of economics to agricultural production, marketing, land tenure, leasing arrangements, financing and related economic problems will be included in this course. (S).

AGEC-405. Statistical Methods in Agricultural Economics I   Credit 3(3-0)
This course emphasizes statistical methods with special applications to agricultural problems. The statistical table, ratios, percentages, bar charts, line charts, and frequency distribution are used as analytical tools. (DEMAND)

AGEC-406. Statistical Methods in Agricultural Economics II  Credit 3(3-0)
This course emphasizes statistical methods with special applications to agricultural problems. The time series analysis, sampling theory, analysis of variance, and simple correlation are used as analytical tools. This course is a continuation of AGEC 644. (DEMAND)

AGEC-432. Elements of Farm Management     Credit 3(3-0)
Principles which govern the effective organization and operation of the farm firm will be covered. (F).

AGED-434. Marketing Agricultural Products Credit 3(3-0)
This course emphasizes the principles and practices of marketing as applied to farm commodities. Form, place, time and possession utility, the ultimate consumer's market, the agricultural industries market, the middleman system, exchange market operation and future contracts, price determination, reducing marketing costs will be examined.   Visits will be made to local markets. Prerequisite: AGEC 330. (F).

AGEC-436. Agricultural Prices Credit 3(3-0)
Information regarding agricultural price changes, index numbers, price determination, seasonal and cyclical price movements, storage problems, methods of controlling extreme price fluctuations, and government price policy will be covered. (S).

AGEC-440. Resource Economics  Credit 3(3-0)
This course provides analysis of economic problems of resources use and management; perception of and definition of problems in terms of allocation mechanism; and analysis of economic relationships over time and market externalities with emphasis on welfare implications. Prerequisite: ECON 300. (S).

AGEC-442. Cooperative Marketing     Credit 3(3-0)
This course covers early cooperative movements, principles of cooperatives, importance of cooperatives in the United States, problems of organization, management and operation of cooperative endeavors by farmers in buying and selling. Prerequisites: AGEC 330 and 334. (DEMAND)

AGEC-444. Agribusiness Marketing Analysis Credit 3(3-0)
This course is designed to develop an understanding of, and skill in, the marketing decision-making process. Emphasis will be placed on the competitive marketing environment and the analytical tools needed by the firm to make sound strategic marketing decisions. Case studies and marketing simulation games will be used when appropriate. (DEMAND)

AGEC-446. Financial Management of Agribusiness Firms  Credit 3(3-0)
Principles and techniques of management of short-term and long-term capital will be covered. Financial analysis, and special problems related to the acquisition and use of funds will also be examined. Case studies and financial simulation games will be used when appropriate. (F).

AGEC-530. Economics of Food Distribution  Credit 3(3-0)
This course covers the description of market structures and operations in the processing and wholesale and retail distribution of food and the effect of industrial organization and government regulations on the efficiency of the market and consumer demand for food. (DEMAND)

AGEC-599. Independent Study I Credit 3(3-0)
This course is designed to provide academic credit to students of advanced undergraduate standing who are on cooperative internship or apprenticeship programs when the nature of the assignment warrants such credits. (F; DEMAND)

Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate

AGEC-630. Rural Development Seminar Credit 3(3-0)
This course will discuss current issues in rural and agricultural development in the U.S. and in developing countries. There will be a review and discussion of current literature and reports or proposals on rural or agricultural development programs and policies. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chairperson. (DEMAND)

AGEC-632. International Agricultural Trade Policy      Credit 3(3-0)
This course includes a review of economic and welfare theory applications relative to trade of agricultural commodities. Topical issues include the analysis of linkages among commodity programs, fiscal and trade policies for the U.S. and other countries in an interdependent world, development of an understanding of international institutions and their role in formulating aliments of strategic agricultural trade policy. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (S).

AGEC-634. International Agribusiness Marketing  Credit 3(3-0)
This course will examine and analyze the series of problems, issues, policies, regulations and procedures relevant to the global marketing of agricultural and related commodities by agribusiness firms. Emphasis will be on combining firm-level agribusiness marketing concepts with international agribusiness marketing and export management practices including the development of international agribusiness marketing plans and case studies from international agribusiness firms. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (S).

AGEC-638. Special Problems in Agricultural Economics  Credit 3(3-0)
This course is designed for students who desire to work out special problems in the field of agricultural economics; problem definition, formulation and investigation will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chairperson. (F).

AGEC-640. Agribusiness Management   Credit 3(3-0)
Methods of research, plans, organization, and the application of management principles will be covered. Part of the student's time will be spent in consultation with agribusiness firms. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chairperson. (F).

AGEC-641. Special Problems in Agribusiness Management Credit 3(3-0)
This course relies heavily on the "Harvard Case Studies Approach" to make decisions and solve problems faced by agribusiness managers. Also, students will be exposed to quantitative techniques for analyzing and solving problems confronting the firm. Emphasis is placed on applying theoretical concepts to the real world decision-making environment. Prerequisites: AGEC 640, or consent of instructor. (DEMAND)

AGEC-642. Seminar in Agricultural Economics     Credit 3(3-0)
Discussion of reports and an appraisal of current literature on agricultural problems will take place. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chairperson. (DEMAND)

AGEC-648. Appraisal and Finance of Agribusiness Firms Credit 3(3-0)
The principles of land evaluation, appraisal and taxation will be examined. The role of credit in a money economy, classification of credit, principles underlying the economic use of credit and the role of the government in the field of credit will also be covered. (S).

AGEC-650. Human Resource Development      Credit 3(3-0)
This course provides an analysis of human resources in relation to changing agricultural production technology in rural areas. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (DEMAND)

AGEC-675. Computer Applications in Agricultural Economics   Credit 3(3-0)
This course is designed to provide students with the tools to utilize computers for agricultural decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing existing software packages for microcomputers and mainframe computers to make financial, economic and quantitative analyses of farm and agribusiness-related problems. Prerequisites: AGEC 330, or ECON 300. (S).

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS IN RURAL SOCIOLOGY

AGEC-300. Principles of Rural Sociology   Credit 3(3-0)
Social systems, cultural patterns, and institutional arrangements of people in rural environments will be examined. An interpretation of the structure, functioning and change in rural social systems will also be covered. (F).

AGEC-301. Rural Social Problems     Credit 3(3-0)
This course focuses on the problems and solutions of population dynamics, education, religion, health, land tenure, parity income, farm labor, mechanization, housing, poverty, and rural development as they affect the growth of the rural community. (DEMAND)

AGEC-303. Rural Family  Credit 3(3-0)
The course examines the institutional nature of the rural family, its role in the community, including its relationship to educational, religious, welfare and other community organizations. (DEMAND)

AGEC-505. Rural Standards of Living Credit 3(3-0)
This course examines the consumption behavior in the main community groups of our rural society as well as the poverty threshold and the plight of the rural poor. (DEMAND)

AGEC-506. Special Problems in Rural Sociology   Credit (2 to 4 hrs)
This course includes work on problems in the rural society under the guidance of a faculty member. (DEMAND)